Things That Drive You Crazy

POV: Political Perspective

2012-02-05T02:35:17Z

2/4/12: Robert Reich. If you think I am name dropping...guilty. He is one of my heros and posted on my Facebook page. I use the name Jeanne Savage there. If you can't find his comments by scrolling down, try Googleing his name. Another good one to check out is Bill Moyers. He recently broadcast how Americans can protest the "Citizens United" ruling. It is happening all over the country.

1/30/12: Erin Brockovich. She is an inspiration. I have added her to my Facebook page as one of my most admired people. Environmental issues and so much more move her into action. Fantastic woman.

When I saw the movie ten years ago, I thought it was great and that was that. Hardly. She has been going strong ever since. Check out her web site http://www.brockovich.com

1/29/12: Yes, we did. The Octopus was marched around the Bank of America yesterday. See http://www.capecodtoday.com/news/headlines/2012/01/39/occupy-blue-meany-octopus-marches-in-hya

Adding to the show was Corpo Sharx, pushing his new book, a takeoff on the "Dummies"series. Other photos are on the Facebook page for Occupy Cape Cod (The one with the Wall Street street sign has this character's photos). Guess who is playing the part. Ah, the mystery.

1/23/12: The show must go on, and it will. On Saturday, 1/28/12, 10:00 to 11:00, Octopi Cape Cod will show their stuff in front of the Bank of America on Barnstable Road in Hyannis, Ma. Come join us. Click for more.

1/21/12: Snow job! That's what we're getting from Mother Nature, a snow job. We, the 99% on Cape Cod are disappointed. We will demonstrate and ham it up at a future date, and aim for a day when there will be some foot traffic at the event sites.

1/8/12: Octopi Cape Cod flyer is available. The octopus has been used by Occupy Wall Street and protesters in California. Guess which percentage of the American population it represents. Some call it the 1%, some say it is the 0.1%. Of course the second figure sounds more like the interest you and I get at the bank.

1/5/12: Drama. Put some in your life. Occupy groups on Cape Cod are planning theater for the education of the 99% of us. There will be shtick going on in towns from Falmouth to Provincetown on January 21, weather permitting. January 21st is the anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling which defines corporations as people and money free speech. Their decision allows multimillion dollar organizations to throw unlimited cash at our representatives in government...with annonimity.

I will post more specifics about the doings on the 21st when I learn more.

Live on the Cape? There are groups in Falmouth, Hyannis, Orleans, Eastham, Provincetown, Martha's Vineyard. On Facebook, search Occupy Orleans, for instance. Last night I attended a meeting in Harwich.

Don't live on the Cape? Check things out on Facebook, Twitter. Occupy Together has worldwide info. If there is nothing going on near you, start something. Several in my group found information and contacts through the Move On site.

Weather in other parts of the country allows for more comfortable standouts. We will do the best we can to show we of the 99% are not going away.

OWS started something. Let's keep it going.

1/3/12: After the caucus...if you can stand it. Have you noticed the politicians' reference to God? I just wonder who they get on their knees and thank for the corporate money to get elected.

12/1/11: Occupy-ed Harwich yesterday. We stood near a busy corner and received very positive response except for one gentleman who shouted across the road, "Get the Democrats out." Generally when a detractor gives us a negative, we blow him/her a kiss or a thumbs-up. This time we yelled back across the street, "and the Republicans." "Get all the crooks out." I've seen this guy before, in Orleans. That time, he was so animated, he was hanging out the window and nearly lost control of his car.

Why is it that some people don't get it? All parties feed into the problem. I've heard a commentator describe it as "America is broken."

When did the US make a downturn? I remember, not that long ago, when we were not in catastrophic debt. Wasn't it Republicans that made government so big? Bush and Chaney sent dollars out the door. We're still suffering the hangover from a useless war and bonuses into the big pockets of the 0.1%, the chosen few that take the money and run. As a thank you for the tax break, these charmers send jobs outside the USA.

11/24/11: Christmas Eve Standout at our usual corner in Orleans. Biter cold, but worth it. Great reception. If this is any indication of the future, bring it on. Great amount of thumbs up, smiles, waves and folks in cars getting horny. Happy Holidays to all.

Plans are in the works not only for Saturday next week, but Friday in Harwich. Stay tuned for details.

Please go to Facebook.com and look up Jeanne Savage. Have picked up on some interesting communication from friends, recently a story regarding where the money is coming from to arm local police throughout the country with riot gear. Are they afraid of these peaceful demonstrators or are the 1% trying to shut out free speech in America?

11/18/11: Did a Standout at Orleans, Ma Saturday. Group has increased, contrary to what has been reported on TV about the movement. Folks throughout the country are feeling the crush from big business and showing it. If you stand on a good corner for as little as two hours on a Saturday, communication happens. Passersby give significant input. Occasionally, we get a volunteer who will stand with us. It pays to bring extra signs such as, "Tax The Rich", Corporations Are Not People", "Banksters Go To Jail". "Banks Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out". "We Are The 99%" What is so confusing about these messages?

One commentator I heard recently suggested there are too many small issues and that "they" should present a main issue. Hell. The man just doesn't get it. The goal is to get corruption out of government. Even the Supreme Court is tainted, calling corporations people and money free speech. By doing this, these defenders of the Constitution have sanctioned corruption and given U.S. representatives unlimited access to dirty bucks.

One of the best things about the movement is that there is no "leader"that dictates what we should think. Ours are not just gripes that can be smoothed over by pacifiers, concessions here and there written by the legal eagles of government.

Let's hear it for the 99%.

12/14/11: How about that Time Magazine! And Robert Reich, holding Obama's feet to the fire.

12/13/11: Met a man last night who was a lobbyist in Washington. He is one of the good guys, though, having worked to promote preservation and did not make himself a millionaire in the process. He and I were the featured writers at "A Book In The Hand" at the Jacob Sears Library in East Dennis, Massachusetts. His book, "The Lion And The Journalist" and mine, "Cooking For Dykes" are as diverse as you can get but we had a grand time talking up our creations and I am so pleased to have been in the spotlight with Chip Bishop.

Thanks to a rep from "Books By The Sea" you can see both our books on display at their Osterille, Massachusetts brick and mortar store.

Now, what has this to do with politics? The journalist in his book is a man called Joseph Bucklin Bishop and the lion is Theodore Roosevelt.

12/07/11: Hey: I thought it was forgotten, but...seems there is a movement to restore the popular vote.*

I read long ago that the Electoral College was instituted to avoid giving too much power to the people. Today's movement is tricky, as it is not an amendment to the Constitution, but a move to have states agree to send support to the winner of the national popular vote to the College. I'm certainly for getting power back to the general public. While they're at it, they should repeal the Glass-Stiegel Act, as is...our reps. in Washington have a bad habit of throwing ifs ands or buts into something pure.

*See article on the controversy of a National Popular Vote on Facebook. As Jeanne Savage, I took the MSN piece and shared it there. Comments on Facebook gratefully accepted. For some reason, comments on this blog are shut down. ??? I have to call GoDad and see if I can straighten this and other problems out. I'm getting too old for this techy stuff.

12/05/11: Lockdown: On Saturday, a peaceful group from Occupy Cape Cod-Hyannis attempted to give a letter to the manager of the local Bank of America, asking for a meeting to help local people scheduled to be evicted. They immediately shut down the bank, including the ATM and called the police. See the Cape Cod Times online 12/04/11 for their article on this. This was a peaceful attempt by the Occupy-ers. I believe the police delivered the letter for the group.

Sooner or later, our government will put some teeth into the laws already on the books and jail and/or fine those that have chiseled the public. This would include bank owners. Would it not be to their advantage to help rather than further victimize our citizens?

If you feel that our representatives in Washington have done little or nothing to rectify the mess we are in, check out "For Instance: Bitching Time" on this blog.

11/25/11: On Wednesday, several groups Occupy-ed overpasses on Route 6. The Cape Cod Times picked it up and, on the Business page, published a large photo of two of the protesters. The three exits targeted were #5, #10 and #12. Lots of traffic and plenty of support with waves, honks and thumbs up. After removing banners from one of the sites, we headed for the parking lot nearby. A black car pulled up and a really nice police officer was smiling when he told us that someone called the police. He was as amused as we were.

11/21/11: Politician's Commitment: The pledge should be rendered by standing at attention facing a dollar bill with the right hand over the pocket.

"I pledge allegiance to Grover Norquist of the United State of Murkiness,

and to the corporations for which he stands, one zealot, on guard

over the millions for elections next fall."

11/20/11: Who is Grover Norquist? Is he the man who really runs the country? Social Security and other "entitlement" programs will be victimized because legislators haven't the guts to go against this man and big guns money. So what if they signed never to raise taxes. Is it better to let the country go down the sewer? Tax the rich, period!

11/18/11: On a weather-wise nasty afternoon, about 50 Occupy-ers from a handful of towns showed up yesterday to form a 99 on the Hyannis, Ma. Green. See it on YouTube-put Occupy Cape Cod March in their search.

After the event, a dozen or so participants carried their signs up and down Main Street. Much traffic and good reception.

11/15/11: Support For Occupy Wall Street Nov. 17. We on Cape Cod hope others throughout the country will join us--in Anytown, USA. The following is a notice we are sending out in our area:

Cape-Wide Support Occupy Wall Street Nov. 17th

Calling all Cape Occupy-ers to

Hyannis Green 367 Main Street

at 3 P.M. this Thursday, Nov. 17

To support ousted Walls Street and Oakland occupiers.

We'll be making a human 99

Bring your 99% signs

11/14/11: Foot dragging in Washington--seems politicians and special committees are reluctant to tax the rich. They would rather chip away at programs that help the 99%.

I read that over 600,000 customers were lost to the Bank of America. They claim they don't care, stating that the accounts were small and did not make them any money. Hell, that would hurt any business. Even if the accounts averaged $30,000 to 40,000, try that on your calculator.

Did an occupy at the Orleans BOA Saturday. Passersby in autos very supportive. We loved the drivers of the big noisy trucks, including one UPS guy. They held their horns down from one end of our line of protesters right down to the end. Bravo!

11/5/11: Did an Occupy today at Orleans on Cape Cod. Elizabeth Warren came by to meet residents. Good reception for her. Our group greeted attendees and waved at passing cars. Lots of honks and thumbs-up.

11/4/11: Attended a meeting at Hyannis. Talk was about many things that threaten the middle class. Don't get me wrong if I talk about classes. Many families have sacrificed to provide an education for their children so they could move up into a better life. Unions have provided dignity for the American worker. What is wrong with this picture? To the 1%, perhaps everything. They have really put the screws on anyone climbing into the comfort of a good living. Perhaps they want to erase the middle class altogether.

One of the most effective instruments the powerful use is the Federal Reserve. This is not a government institution, by the way. It is run by the Central Banking System with 12 regional arms and operated much like a corporation. One book on this is "Figuring Out The Fed" by Margaret Thoren. Another is "The Great American Stickup" by Robert Scheer. That one is available at our "CLAMS" libraries here in Massachusetts.

Wikipedia is one internet source that can give you the basics. Trust me it is shocking how our lives are run by the "banking families."

I am not that knowledgeable about such things. By talking with some of the members of these groups, I am becoming more aware of what is going on. Hell, It makes me wonder if I have been sleep-walking through life.

If you don't want to carry a sign, sleep in a park or contribute in any other way to the Occupation, at least attend a meeting or two in a town near you. You may learn enough to at least become an informed voter. You do vote, don't you?

10/29/11: Made aware that Hershey does, in fact, produce some chocolates in Mexico. Called their rep. and she advised me they must state this on package. I will continue to buy the American-made products only.

10/27/11: Article circulating on internet by a woman who is shopping for items made in USA. Apparently some things are more reasonably priced than imports! This is one way we all can fight modern robber barons and support workers in our country.

10/24/11: "Occupy" is growing.

Focus? "What is the main issue for the protesters?" There is too much. Have a genetically modified lunch and think it over. You may later buy yourself a shirt made overseas or stop at the bank and see if they've added any more charges this month.

Consider yourself lucky if you can pay the mortgage on your house. By the way, did you ever wonder why there is such a thing as a mortgage loan? Why not one that is paid like a home equity, where interest is charged on the balance remaining as you pay down the principle? Looks like the high and mighty have been doing us for longer that we realized.

Focus? Yes, it is hard to focus. There is so much. Taxing of the rich, for one.

Something is needed to zero in on. Try corporate contributions to politicians and political parties. No matter what they call it, most of the 99% see it as legalized graft. And who provides this money? You do. Pay for anything out there and chances are you are dealing with a huge corporation.

Enjoy your lunch. Try not to focus on the pesticides, antibiotics, fructose and hydrogenated oil you may be ingesting. Don't worry. As you grow older, the pharmaceutical industry will fix the damage for you.*

*Perhaps you have a condition known as fructose malabsorption. You may not even be aware you have it until you wind up with irritable bowel syndrome, where a contributing factor is possibly the accumulation of fructose throughout the entire intestine. This is not the only residual screwing our digestive systems. Carrageenan is questionable. It is made from seaweed. Does the body eliminate all this stuff? They put it in whipped topping, ice cream, even pea soup. It is a thickener. Why would you need thickener in pea soup?

I do go on, don't I? The connection with my original post? Where is the FDA?

The government can hire more inspectors. And we don't want to hear any more from the far right about cutting down government. Tax the rich to help pay for it.

10/13/11:

New York City's mayor wants to evict the OWS protesters to clean a park. Aren't 99% of your countrymen and women more important than a minute piece of real estate, Mr. Mayor?

10/8/11: Whose money is it anyway? Multimillion dollar corporations get their profits from where? Taxes to run the country come from where? 99%of us. The galling part is that every time you buy a can of soup, a loaf of bread or medication, you may be paying a higher price so the super rich can add to the politicians' coffers to get elected.

That's our money. Our money stuffing the pockets of large corporations that invest in other countries, send the jobs to foreign soil and further do not give a damn what's in that medication I mentioned.*

Had enough? The powers think the Wall Street Movement is going away. I hope not.

*Why do we have an FDA when the pharmacist here can not tell you what may be caustic or irritating in that little pill from Asia?

10/7/11:

"USA has been thrown under the bus by the 1%" This is a partial comment I just posted on Facebook. MoveOn.org has a video to show the Wall Street march is not peopled merely by kids and hippies, as reported by mainstream media.

I had to say my piece, posted as Jeanne Savage.

I am a senior who does not consider herself an expert on the goings on in politics, I know how it affects me. I can see the effects on others. I can not understand why we put up with such crap.

God bless the marchers. They know the majority, most of the 99%of us, are aware that they have been taken. Granted, if you belong to the Tea Party or the religious right, you may be blind-sighted by the Conservative bla bla, yet can you deny that corporate money looks like a Godsend to our representatives? In order to be elected, it costs a bundle. Ask yourself what price they pay for big money.

Criticism has been that the protesters have no main issue. Hell, I see it. The 1%ers have been responsible for screwed up healthcare (you can't just throw a pill at it), unhealthy food engineering, mortgage nightmares and selling out the American worker.

Have I forgotten anything? Think about it. You can come up with something.

Allowing the corporations to donate unlimited monies flies in the face of the ordinary citizen and Democracy. The Supreme Court should have seen that.

Cooking For Dykes, the book

2012-01-16T14:39:18Z

1/16/12: Don't let the title fool you. A handful of recipes does not make a culinary compilation. Fun. That is why "Cooking For Dykes" was written. Think metafiction as you read through how-to tips, a comprehensive list of seasonings, the story of a young gay woman. There are comical twists that everyone can relate to, whatever their sexual orientation, especially the short stories at the end of the book.
Available at Amazon.com. BN.com and book stores here and abroad. Locally, it is in bookstores in Provincetown, Orleans, Chatham, Brewster, Yarmouth, Osterville and Plymouth, Massachusetts...so far. I have to get out more often.

Contact info: Should you care to email me, words@jeannesavage.com is the best way. For some reason, comments are not coming through on this blog. Friends have been unable to write their opinions (?) To be honest, I am tired of calling tech folks. Why don't they make things easy?

12/12/11: Had a good time at book signing of "Cooking For Dykes" tonight. Book store rep from Orleans, Ma picked books up for sales. This was a nice surprise for me.

12/10/11: "Cooking For Dykes" will be featured at a reading and book signing at "A Book In The Hand" at the Jacob Sears Library in East Dennis, Ma at 7 PM Monday.

If you are in the neighborhood, drop in. I'd love to meet you.

10/8/11: Didn't know about this one when I wrote "Cooking For Dykes." Coconut oil for the lips. Better than using lip balm? Check out DoctorOz.com .

Picked up a jar at health food store. Gal who works there said I could put the coconut product in my oatmeal. See my book. If I added any more to my morning cereal, you couldn't call it cereal any more. However, will try it on my lips.

Back to nature.

10/4/11: Dykes, Mikes, who cares. "Cooking For Dykes" is for everyone. Adult humor that does not go over the line. If you're tired of the F and S words, this paperback (or

e book) is for you. There are recipes, a comprehensive list of herbs and seasonings, and tips for reinventing furniture. It starts with a fictional dyke's journey into the kitchen. Interspersed are the recipes, and other not so trivial trivia. The story continues later.

Enjoy.

9/22/11:

At a recent Arts and Crafts show, numerous people stopped by for a taste of this fun little book. Yes, fun. Reaction from folks was anything from a smile to out-loud laughter. An overwhelming majority who stopped by and/or purchased the book were straight.

There are some recipes, but my intent was to have a good time writing, sometimes ignoring the rules. Think metafiction.

Think Amazon.com, Giovannisroom.com, BN.com

For Instance: Bitching Time

2012-01-03T14:07:06Z

1/3/12: March! Forgot one important routine one can do to stay in shape without much effort. Do an exaggerated march around the house. Pick up your legs, swing your arms, suck that gut in. It helps you stand up straight. Learned this one in a rehab after surgery. Probably the most important aspect of this is to get out of that chair at least once an hour. Couple this routine with other exercise and you will feel better, have more energy, and not play the blame game with yourself.

Peace.

1/2/12: Resolutions? Something that I have been motivated to do toward the end of last year is to exercise. In order to keep up with daily whatsafartsy, one must be in good shape. At my age, to go the extra ten yards, let alone a mile, I have to work at it. Fortunately, I have been going to physical therapy sessions and have been in the habit of doing a mild routine, including kegels, before I get out of bed in the morning. Often, I will slide across a room sideways, something that is in my routine at the gym. I think some of this has helped me stand for two hours doing the Occupy Cape Cod standouts. My back has been less painful in general.

So why do I tell you all this? Motivation? Yes, I would hope you take better care of yourself in 2012...but there is method to the madness. If I say these things, I am less likely to shame myself by not following through.

Next, declutter the house. Ten items a day! Put away, give away, throw away. The good news is that a very good friend has offered to take some of my stuff out to her place for a yard sale. Thank you, S A.

1/2/12: Diet? Hell, I don't even think about counting calories. With the kind of food I buy, I avoid sucrose, fructose, hydrogenated anything. The oils i use are those that are helpful, yes helpful to the arteries. About a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil during breakfast, a teaspoon or so of grapeseed oil for sauteing in the evening.

Recently, I have cut way down on fruit juices and white bread, pasta. These are easily converted into sugar and therefore contribute to hardening of the arteries. Foolish me, I had forgotten the link between diabetes and heart and blood pressure problems. I am not a diabetic, but will pay more attention to the "white" items.

It is up to you whether you wish to go organic, avoid the junk agra-business has thrown at us these many years, maybe spend less on iphones and more on good healthy food. Please educate yourself as to what is good for you and your family.

Happy and Healthy New Year.

12/20/11: Gone hat shopping, lately? Needed one to keep warm. Tried a dozen or so at Macy's, "One Size" was so tight, it would give you a headache. Again, the Oriental thing. Tried several other stores in two towns. Wound up at Marshall's. Same scene in the women's department. Those cute little caps were just that, little. When I put them on, they were so tight across, they made my ears stick out. I do not have a big head and my ears do not stick out, normally. It was off to the men's department, where I found the same problem. One gentleman said, "Yes, one size fits all...Chinese." i managed to find one of those Icelandic numbers, lined and colorful. It happened to have a sports logo, but I can cover that with one of my campaign buttons. It says, "We are the 99%".

I look at the big picture. How many of these mistakes by department stores will the public eat? I did not see these products being walked to the cash register. Somebody has to pay.

The day before, I was on my way to a birthday party and needed a bow to dress up a package. I found one at CVS. It was made of cheapy plastic swirled into loops, measuring about 3" across...one of those paste-ons. Price? $1.49. One dollar and forty-nine cents for something quickly thrown into the trash to pollute the environment.

Is this where I say Bah, Humbug?

12/16/11: What ever happened to...? Clothes that fit. They've even corrupted men's clothing. Try to find a pair of size 36 with a nice narrow leg. Hah. Most of what is on the racks hang below the waist. I wear men's pants, as I don't have curvy hips. Sometimes, you can find some nice material that hangs just right. Add a blouse or women's blazer... but the shortness of material is really annoying. They must save a lot of money by making clothing so uncomfortable. I am so surprised that adult men put up with this.

Today, I went for a warm coat. I tried the women's department but what they call "Missy" sizes only go up to about 16 if you're lucky. I tried a few XL that fit everywhere but the shoulders. It's like they were patterned after oriental women. Possible, as most everything is made you know where. One option was to buy a style with a raglan sleeve, but the lining was some soft fuzzy material which would not suit my left shoulder, the one with bone chips in it.

I had checked out the Lands End department and they had oodles of women's coats on sale. The quality seems to be slipping on these items, probably why so many are on sale. A few years past, that company catered to a slightly upscale clientele. I don't know where they're going now.

It was off to the men's department. Found a red coat with a little black trim that fits nicely and feels nice and warm. Ahhh. And they wonder why I get so tired shopping.

12/4/11:

Hey, thought of something one can do if there is no time for Occupy meetings or standing on street corners. The phone. If something bothers you about the nothing-accomplished syndrome afflicting most of the Washington reps., tell them about it. Keep a list of phone numbers by your land phone or put them on you cell.

Imagine. One call a day from everyone who is being taxed to pay the elected to do their jobs.

Personally, I like to get out there, even on cold days. The interaction is invigorating. Folks drive by and smile, throw you a thumbs up/and or blow their horns. Some people who walk the street come up and shake your hand or engage in positive conversation. Hardly any ask "What can we do?" It is already being done. If you care to join us, that's great. There is very little negativity shown us as we hold signs such as "Tax The Rich"or "Corporations Are Not People". The other day, two gentlemen in a pick-up truck handed us hot chocolate to keep warm. Nice.

When you realize that the people in Louisiana are the victims of the Army Corps of Engineers that is not run by the military and answers to no one, and the Federal Reserve is owned by the richest families in banking and not part of the government, you may feel the ordinary citizen has been snookered from way back.

Think about it. The iresponsible behavior of those paid by our taxes to represent us has risen to a new level. Pick up the phone, as they say in those annoying TV ads. Personally, I think the system holds those in government back. It takes a lot of guts to go against the status quo and big money. After all, it's nearly impossible to run for office without the backing of corporate money.

The only caution I wish to express is to be polite, even if this stuff gets your blood pressure up. It is volume that should do the trick. One call a day about anything that

they should be doing. If they come across, praise doesn't hurt either.

11/18/11:

Just to keep things simple, let me tell off the top of my head why I don't take every med. doctors prescribe. Omeprazole, the genetic form of Prilosec, for instance. When I read that it was processed with phthalates widely used to keep plastics flexible, I was curious. When I read the stuff can cause cancer, I said, No More. There are side effects to all drugs and one of the warnings on the label is to limit the use of the drug to so many weeks, I think, unless prescribed by a doctor. My house, like most modern houses, is polluted with phthalates and who knows what. The stuff leaches out from Vinyl flooring, shower curtains, pet and children's toys. Why do I want to take it internally?

One other drug that I was taking was over-the-counter low-dose aspirin. The particular product i was taking had an enteric coating to save stomach distress. Processing? Phthalates reared their ugly heads again. My cardiologist recommended I use acetylsalicylic acid without the coating. Come to find out that this drug removes coating from the stomach after it leaves the gastric organ. It had been prescribed because my blood work numbers go off the charts when I take cholesterol meds. I'd rather put apples with skins intact into my diet.

I have this annoying habit of trying to get at the facts. I called the pharmacists at the place where I get my 90 day supplies. I was trying to nail down what irritates my chronic bronchitis and/or possible asthma. I had a history of the latter when I was a child. The pharmacist told me that one med definitely would cause breathing problems. The cardiologist went of the wall and told me I was better off having a physician prescribe for me than a pharmacist.

I also had cut the Plavix in half and take it every other day. It is the carriers that have me uneasy. Another cardiologist clued me into problem. When I told him that I was having a problem sleeping because of the over-production of mucus and that my nose was running with clear thin fluid, he changed my blood pressure meds from what I had been taking for at least seven years. Why didn't the other doctors spot this? There has been decided improvement since the change. At least one prescription I have called about sent me down a blind alley, however. The pharmacist told me that the product was manufactured in China and he had no information what they use as a carrier.

Would that drive you crazy, or what?

I visited a pulmonary specialist to see if we could work on the breathing problem. He is a very nice young man who admitted that all there is is medication, that that is what physicians are taught. He gave me a med in pill form that contains the drug use in inhalers. Yes, after using it for a number of days, my breathing improved. Some side effects had me all hyped up to the point where I tried to date my beautician. I fazed out this prescription before finishing the pills and read the side effects more carefully. It suppresses the immune system. Hell, since I came out of the rehab, where the only blueberries I could get were in the yogurt every morning and they insisted on giving me fatty foods to pump me full of protein, I have been concentrating on an organic, antioxidant filled diet to keep away the cancer. Nuts.

Doctors do not try to find causes. For instance, what irritates my digestive system. Do I have too much or too little acid in my stomach? What food ingredients and environmental factors bring on coughing spells?

One has to be their own advocate and read labels on foods to avoid hydrogenated oils, for instance. It may help keep you healthier.

11/09/11:

So much has happened since I started this blog. Where do I begin? The effects of genetically engineered foods? Drugs prescribed? The failure and/or stubbornness of some doctors?

During a visit with my primary physician last year, he was seated at the computer, typing away. I assume he was recording notes for my records when I spoke to him. He jokingly said, "Don't interrupt me, I'm writing."

This is the fun guy who prescribed Omeprazole. Two other health care providers before him prescribed Prilosec before the genetic version of the drug came out. They started writing these scripts around 2002, to be taken daily. More about this later.

I was having increasing difficulty with irritable bowel syndrome. In late 2009 or early 2010, I asked to see a gastroenterologist and possibly have a colonoscopy. The doctor snapped. "You're not due to have a Cat Scan until 2011."

Aside from the fact that I thought he was having a bad hair day, I assumed wrongly that I had to live with my condition.

There were other issues with this physician, so months later, I decided to leave his service and asked for my records. I mentioned the request I had made for help with my IBS. He searched on the computer and said, "I don't se anything here."

My new primary sent me to a gastroenterologist and I had a colonoscopy, saw several other specialists and had more tests. In November of 2010, I had surgery for the excision of polyps, part of my lower bowel and a grapefruit-sized cancerous tumor.

What would a Cat Scan have done for me? Scans do not se into the gut, so how do they detect pre-cancerous polyps or worse? I saw an oncologist post-surgery and brought up the subject of having future colonoscopies. He informed me that they use Cat Scans to detect tumors. When I questioned this, he explained. "When a tumor breaks through the wall of the intestine, we can treat that." I could not believe the man. He seemed pumped up with pride as he spoke. This man must be hooked on chemo, I thought, Why would any doctor want to wait for stage three or four. Does the hospital make so much on scans?

Not incidentally, during the process of checking me out, I was not only X rayed because they saw something on my lung when I was first scanned, they ordered another scan after they reviewed the X rays. I had so much exposure, I can't even count it all. I was born with an ectopic bowel and multiple views were taken of this. After my recovery, I tried , but I can't find out how many plates were taken. I felt vulnerable at the time, so went along with everything. With all the specialists categorizing my body, I doubt if they knew which end was up. I personally saw to it that my primary was in the loop, supplying him with results from tests. Hardly any one else did. I had to give contact information to some technicians and doctors. In the Hyannis area, most physicians are under the umbrella of corporations. I was confused when I checked with my insurance to find the doctors re not all listed by name. Often, the names of organizations are similar, to add to the confusion.

Currently, I am refusing any more X ray exposure. One doctor, a pulmonary specialist, says the spots on the Xray mean nothing, another doctor wants to make sure they have not changed and wants me to have a Cat Scan.

It could drive you crazy.

Please see POV, which stands for my point of view. You may have your own. If you are happy with corporate dictatorship, I'm sure you will not agree.

Recipes and Such

2011-12-05T03:04:23Z

12/4/11: Figured it is about time to add another recipe. Have had onions baked in small amount of oil and balsamic vinegar, but did not have time to bake them for 1/2 an hour.

I sauteed a slice of red onion in tablespoon or so of grapeseed oil and added about half that amount of balsamic vinegar. (I find cooked onions easier to digest than raw.)

From the fridge:

2 pieces quinoa bread (for extra protein)

1/2 can sardines

lemon curd

Cain's natural mayo

organic Romaine lettuce

previously sauteed tomatoes

Add onions after draining on paper towels

Toast bread and spread one piece thinly with lemon curd

Add fish, onions and tomatoes

On other piece of bread, spread mayo and add lettuce.

Lay lettuce and second piece of bread on top of tomatoes, etc.

Push top down and slice. Serve with a fork. I have a tendency of loading too much

on these creations. Often I will add sprouted red clover or cooked shiitake mushrooms. Why not? These things are good for you and not all that fattening. I stay away from fructose and sucrose and hydrogenated oil and anything else the food corporations have been throwing at us.

10/30/11: There are usually mushrooms and organic grape tomatoes, both sauteed in grape seed oil, in separate glass containers in my fridge. The tomatoes are seasoned with basil and marjoram after turning down the heat and simmering for twenty minutes. I add them both to salads, the mushrooms to eggs or hamburger.

Found another combo. I avoid adding butter to veggies these days, so when I steam-cooked some broccoli recently, I added a tablespoon of mushrooms and two of the tomatoes when the broccoli was almost done. The oil and seasoning were an asset. Delish.

9/19/11: This weekend sold books at Cranberry Festival Fair in Harwich, Ma. Strollers quite receptive. Enjoyed having folks laugh out loud or give me a grin, at least. One woman shouted out while walking by, "Humph. I'm a chef." Wonderful. But I assume she just didn't get it. My book is about fun. Some recipes that are a bit out of the ordinary, but fun. If she had only stopped to check it out, we might both have learned something from each other. "Cooking For Dykes" is that. A few recipes, but fun. It is also a chance for dialogue between people, which I personally love.

9/14/11: If you go for fish, I remember how my mother cooked mackerel. She used the whole fish but you can easily use the fillets. Lay fish skin side down on a greased stainless steel pan. sprinkle lemon juice on fish, add sliced onion on top and dot generously with butter. Place in 400 degree oven. Cook until flaky, about 10 minutes. Yum.

With the exception of the butter, this stuff is good for you. Serve up some with fresh parsley. And eat the garnish. Parsley contains apigenin, which helps to inhibit the growth of new blood vessels that feed cancerous tumors. Pregnant women should not overdo the parsley, however.

9/10/11: This section could be titled "Things I Left Out Of The Book".

It was not done intentionally. The publishing company did not get my additions in time. Actually they did, but had not picked up an email I sent at the last minute.

Here are some additional food prep ideas. No charge:

Cooking vegetables by steaming is an excellent way to retain nutrients. You may have a stainless steel insert that fits inside a pot. You heat the water to boiling, add veggies, turn the heat down and cover with lid. According to your tastes, you cook from 15 to 20 minutes, maybe more with some sweet potatoes.

Here is the best part. Add leftover chicken or meat right on top of the veggies when almost done. Heat meat for about 5-8 minutes, according to thickness. It even works for leftover steak, keeping it moist.

Even after working on "Cooking For Dykes", I have become more aware of the unhealthy products there are on the market. It's not just the ingredients, like hydrogenated, chemically altered and otherwise fooled around with elements. As I explained, you must do your own research. Find out why foods packaged in plastic, even canned goods are not the healthiest. Hint: They leave the BNA out of the popular new water bottles, don't they?

I eat salads often. I find as much certified organic food as I can. One item has been difficult to find, a good tasting mayonnaise in a small glass jar. Found one! Caines All Natural has the nos that I am after, no hydrogenated oil, no engineered corn sweetener, no carogeenan and low sodium. Trouble is, it is high in fat calories and I like gobs of the stuff.

Found another product that I am using in combination with the mayo. It is made by the Stonewall Kitchen in Maine. It is packaged in a small glass container.

"Cranberry Pomegranate Chutney" has only 20 calories per tablespoon. Mildly spicy, I use it on chicken or hard boiled eggs in salads or sandwiches and go easy on the mayo.

When it comes to salads, I add the chicken or egg last and make sure the dressing goes directly on these ingredients before stirring everything into the lettuce and diced apple and raisins and sprouted red clover and minced red onion and home-grown tomatoes... Im' getting hungry.

Why do I drive myself crazy?

Hey, the mayo/chutney combo is good on a tuna fish sandwich or use cranberry chutney in place of relish to make tartar sauce. If this hasn't been invented already, call it Jeanne's Tartar Sauce.

Maybe not. There's nothing new under the sun.

But Who's Counting?

2011-11-05T12:37:59Z

11/5/11: So, 179 hits yesterday, 40 looks at Who Said That, 99 in other categories. Now that we've gotten that over with--will have something more to say after today. Will be going with some Cape Occupy members as a presence at a political rally. Hope others throughout the country get involved. Keep it peaceful, folks.

11/3/11: If you wonder what I look like, go to "Who Said That" in Trivia category. Scroll down--way down. Of course, I was in my mid-twenties, but it will give you an idea. Wondered why there were 39 hits today on that post, up from 10 the day before. I'm sure it wasn't the picture.

11/2/11: The title of this post? Originally I was keeping track of hits on this site. Before it was two years old, there were more than 200,000. Suddenly the numbers went down? Can't figure out this internet stuff at times. The techs can't tell you much about it. I just wonder if when you renew every two years, things change.

Presently, I am not posting the numbers but keep a count on how I'm doing and what interests readers the most. What's in a number?

10/29/11: Had to cancel trip to P Town today. Storm warnings kept handyman and me busy working outdoors.

10/16/11: Wish I could be with the protesters today. Other commitments in the way. Best I can do is support with a little donation. Go OWS.

Please keep "Cooking For Dykes"in mind. Check out amazon.com, BN.com, Giovannisroom.com and cookingfordykes.com for info on this fun paperback and ebook.

10/7/11: A new post has been added called POV. Point Of View will contain my gripes and such about the powers that run our lives these days. I don't know much about politics but I have to let it out for catharsis.

10/6/11: Watched Charlie Rose last night. Guest was economist Jeffrey Sachs. Wall Street protesters could look to this guy's ideas. Check out his bio on Charlie Rose site. I hope the Pres. was paying attention.

10/4/11: Wall Street rallies: Just hope these people are not taken over by politicians who accept bribes (excuse me, donations) from corporations. Same old, same old. This will not put jobs back on American soil or bring fair taxation into the mix.

10/1/11: Heard Rick Perry today telling the world that [not an exact quote] on his first day in office he would use this pen [he waved a writing implement] to do away with Obama Care. Is this the way he thinks the US government works? The President sits down at his desk and writes the law? Where do they get these guys?

9/23/11: Added a few current posts, "Talking To Myself", "Recipes And Such". The older entries followed a timeline, but after a while, I realized you must think backwards on the internet. Tried Facebook lately? I think they're trying to reverse that trend.

While we're on the subject, I don't care to let everyone know everything about my life and drag every friend and relative into it. Of course, various cat, dog, bird and rabbit friends I've had over the years would not mind.

9/20/11: Can't quote the exact words, but heard John Boehner on TV expressing the thought that the super rich have an opportunity to donate to the government if they so wish. Corporate giants already donate, to put politicians in office. Why would this Republican leader suggest that a further burden be put on these people?

9/15/11: So...if you're on the Cape this weekend, drop by Brooks Park in Harwich. Lots of arts, crafts, music and fun. Fund raiser. Some of my writing buddies and I will be there, book signing and selling our latest creations. 9/19/11- It was a blast. Tons of people visited. Sold a few and went home tired but pleased. Enjoyed the chit-chat with folks from all over the country - and the world.

Some of my "Bookie" friends whooping it up at a recent fair.

9/14/11: Watched Dr. Oz this afternoon. Have you had your arsenic today? Seriously. Comes in apple juice from China. You didn't know the concentrate comes from China? Make sure you check the containers for apple juice made in the USA. Organic is best, as you can avoid pesticides.

Some containers say made in Canada but the concentrate comes from China. Dr. Oz states he had independent testing done which shows high levels of the poison are in the Chinese product. FDA where are you?

9/8/11: Check out "Make Do"for new post, retro-fitting a medicine cabinet.

9/4/11: See Laundry Tips. Steam-pressing your clothing made easy!

Available at Amazon.com, Giovannisroom.com, BN.com and fine bookstores.

8/28/11: Good for you, Colin Powell. Your recent comments about Dick Cheney are right on. I always had the feeling that Cheney had too much to say when he was in office. He should just be happy his name can make book sales, but then, any celebrity can do that.

8/22/11: Still trying Facebook and Twitter. I do not care to include all my personal data just to prove I have friends. As a matter of fact, I wish to act like a friend to those I have by not revealing my contact list.

8/17/11: Just received my first check in the mail from bookstore. What a kick. On 8/5/11, I put several "Cooking For Dykes" out on consignment to local stores. This particular establishment sold all of them!

8/14/11: Spent weekend at fair in Harwich. Had a good start for a newbie author. Sold a good number of books, several to women on their way to Provincetown...spread the word, gals.

Reflection: Not having done badly at an outdoor sale is one thing, but I gained more than money from the experience. As I sat there at my table, which had a poster of my book cover in full view, I observed human behavior. As people promenaded the long grass path between tent rows, they eventually came to the end, where authors' tables were set at right angles to the path.

As folks came closer, the title "Cooking For Dykes" would register. You could tell by the expressions on visitors' faces, from a grin to out-and-out laughter to stone-cold stiff. You could almost tell what part of the country folks hailed from.

Comments were as priceless. One woman bought five paperbacks and told me that she will send one to an ultra conservative male friend. A middle-aged man headed toward our tables with half a grin on his face after spotting my poster.

"Take one to your next cocktail party," I said, "You can read some of this stuff as one-liners."

"Not with my crowd," he replied, "I come from the northwestern part of Massachusetts."

"Too bad."

My too bad is not for this man, nor for his "crowd". Too bad is for the attitude of his friends, passed on to their children and their children's children...and too bad for their classmates who are "different".

8/10/11: Solve the financial mess in the USA? #1 Stop corporate contributions. #2 Close tax loopholes for the rich. Sound simplistic? Maybe, but those Washington representatives (?) just maybe could find some pork and subsidies to eliminate instead of hitting on the elderly and men and women in uniform. Sorry. I try to stay off political stuff but the behavior of all parties, including the new Tea whizbangs, makes me ill.

Three cheers for Lucy Nobbe, the woman who hired a plane to put her thoughts over the city of New York. Her message was for the US Congress's recent thumbs-down performance.

8/5/11: Busy,busy, busy. Learning about Facebook and Twitter. This will take a little extra effort. I don't use UR or LOL, etc. Life is not that short. Hey, if you enjoy it... Spent the early afternoon running around Provincetown. Bookstores there will be selling my book. Have a great weekend.

7/28/11: Check out www.cookingfordykes.com. Don't let the title scare you. This little work is for gay and straight alike.

7/23/11: Don't you just love horses? Watched the Saratoga race on TV today and found myself cheering and clapping as the filly "Its Tricky" beat the favorite. The thing that got me about her is that she's hard to control. But she has heart. Go, Tricky!

Driveucrazy has evolved into a journal. Occasionally I will throw in a tip or two for the laundry or something, but my focus is not on playing with websites. Can't even get this %K*:>##@) font thing to work. Can't make my book cover smaller in size. Keep it simple, guys.

7/22/11: The book is out and so am I. Yes, I said I was helping someone with the publishing of a book. That someone is my alter ego, Jeanne Savage. The name is not too far out, as I took family monikers, one from column A, one from column B, both parents' relatives.

The book is called "Cooking For Dykes" and is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I am getting no feedback from the wonderful brick and mortar bookstores. It is too soon for any data to get back to me. Shortly, I will be sending out a press release and will post it here.

It is not strictly a cookbook. Some recipes, yes, but mostly a fun little book.

Wish me luck, dear readers.

6/19/11: The book will be out in a few weeks. I hesitate to give specifics at this time. Have been dealing with promises, promises throughout the publishing process. As many of my friends who write will tell you, dealing with bookmakers in the design/editing phase is maddening.

4/17/11: And so it goes. Have been busy helping someone publish a book...soon!

Over the holidays and beyond, recuperated in rehab after operation. All going well in that department.

Am growing wheat grass and other good greens in a small portable greenhouse sitting in my living room. Since I can't chew like a cow to digest the grass, picked up an Omega juicer which grinds the stuff, slowly. It does not destroy enzymes in fresh fruits and veggies like some of the speedy juicers on the market. I can wait.

Thank you for your email comments. I would like to answer but find that with all the bells and whistles they have (and Godaddy is supposed to be one of the best) I can't get a handle on where to reply.

There were a ton of messages recently from all over the world, most of it nonsense, some from real estate, insurance and web site companies. It appears that DriveUCrazy has wound up on the social networks, including Facebook. One guy wanted to buy my site. Not ready yet, fella.

Talk to you soon.

9/07/2010: There's something a little screwy here. Looked at the hit count for this site and it
appears that we are losing. ???? I guess when they fiddle around with this computer stuff to make
"improvements", some thing gets lost in the shuffle. Too bad. I was hoping to watch the overall totals
of folks who have taken a look-see since the blog's inseption.
Sorry I have not paid more attention to the site. Recently have been very busy. I know that some of the stuff
here could use an editor. Truth is, my alter ego has been working on a project. In the next several months, the truth will come out!

7/11/2010:  206,609 (huh?) hits so far. We're two years old and counting.

By far the most popular part of my blog is Nova Scotia. The photos must give folks a cool, calming feeling. Beautiful place.

6/6/10: The Fund Raiser was a success. Some monies were raised. Not bad for our first time. A small committee did a bangup job, knocking on doors and coming up with great silent auction items. The entertainment, food and drink were right up there. Thank you to all the businesses, artists and Guild members who contributed and a big thank you to the fantastic artists that participated.

On June 5th, the Guild will hold its first fund raiser. Featuring a silent auction (Preview from 2:00 P.M. til 6:00 P.M.),
the finale will be grand indeed, with paintings by top artists from Cape Cod up for auction.

Tickets on sale from 2-6 PM and 7 PM at the Center on June 5th - It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for collectors of these fine artists.

March 29, 2010
March madness: Have been running all over the Cape lately. Working on a new wrinkle with my
writing which may turn into a book. There is a lot of research involved. Some of it has to do with cooking;
some of it has to do with tickling ribs. After all, laughter is the best recipe.
###News about the Yarmouth Art Guild. There is an event coming at the tail-end of an art show the Guild is having at the Cultural Center in South Yarmouth in May. Some of the top artists on the Cape have made available
beautiful paintings for auction.   And there is much, much more!
Please see www.yarmouthartguild.com for details shortly. Our newsletter
will be on that site within the next few days--we just did a little proofreading today.

February, 2010: "Going on the Cheap" appears to be the favorite stopping off place on this blog. Please check it out for updates on the winter herb growing project and how to use your pressure cooker to get the ingredients you want into your
soup.

January, 2010: Surprise, surprise in Mass special election. The voters put them in their place in Washington.   If only the electorate would keep the momentum going and insist on tossing out lobbyist money. This is a non-partisan statement.......Too late...Look what the supreme court just did to us!

Had a wonderful breakfast in local restaurant with a writer's group recently. I would encourage folks to get connected with others doing something creative.   So much goes on at libraries and senior centers. If there is nothing available in your area, start something!  Keeps the blood flowing in your noodle.   Bonus=you get to meet nice folks who are generally non-judgemental about content, so you can write from the gut.

11/something/09 Just discovered a way to jazz up canned soup. I have soup often at night but add about one third Trader Joe's Low Sodium (6%) Vegetable Broth, as I dislike tasting salt. I picked up some beet tops, washed and chopped the leaves, packaged them for the freezer. Freezing breaks them down, so I just have to just throw a few tablespoons on top of cup of soup and place it in the microwave. You can even add some of Joe's cooked kidney beans (also freezable) to add protein to veggie or onion soup. Be creative. Try some sprouting and garnish the soup with alfalfa when soup has heated. Alfalfa! Talk about protein. Check out your internet for nutritional values. Economical, too.

Don't remember which talk show this came from:   "Why don't we just hire lobbyists and cut out the middleman?   Elections? What do they mean?  After all the promises,  the politicians go off and have private meetings with the money that brought them to the dance.

10/15/2009: Please see latest update in "Going on the cheap", ways to save money. News about
JUICING, Early Start on raised gardens.

9/22/2009:   Outdoor Art Shows.... The Yarmouth Art Guild
The Guild shows were surprisingly successful despite the economy doom and gloomers.
Keep up the good work.
The YAG is a 501C3 non-profit organization.

6/10/2009:  Active in several writers' groups and recently took a "white line woodblock" workshop
on the Cape.  In four seperate places, have met  four different psychiatric therapists.
Is someone trying to tell me something? Seriously, have had a lot of fun with them.
They know how to relax.

11/15/08: Moving right along. The Yarmouth Art Guild has hit the big time.
A quickie from a T.V. interview done last Spring on Channel l7 on Cape Cod
is now on You Tube. It can also be seen on www.yarmouthartguild.com
   I have gotten involved in several writer's groups from Wellfleet to
Provincetown. The creative juices flow Capewide and I'm loving it.

3/31/08: Some opportunities to buy a plug-in/hybrid battery throughout
country. Very pricey. See pluginpartners.com . There are numerous links on
their site and an opportunity to sign a petition. My question, "How many
million signatures will it take to wake the auto industy's sleeping giants?"
How come GM is having so much trouble coming up with a plug-in when
some guy can come up with the technology in his garage??? Could it be that
the big car companies have some sort of interest in big oil ???
See "Saving the Planet" and click on "Hybrids and Other Car Stuff".
Check out Hybrids & Other Car Stuff 4/11/08: The Prius is mine.
See 4/30/08 entry in "Hybrids" for the kind of smile I'm wearing.

Have joined a writers' group in Wellfleet, Ma. Am trying to sharpen
my skills. The gas savings will help when I travel to these sessions.
Folks of varying skills meet weekly for critiquing with lunch
afterwards. Attendance falls off a bit during winter, because snow birds
take off.
7/9/08: After several weeks at the writers group, feel I am on a roll.
Unfortunately, my blog may suffer. Please realize that I just throw things
out there and correct syntax, spelling, clumsy sentences when I can get to
it.  There's the rub...am too busy creating. It is so therapeutic.  Presently
I am writing memoirs.
The most fun when you write is when you nail it!
The guys and gals in the group are helping me do just that.

5/7/08: Worth noting if you're coming to my part of the Cape - Great little
restaurant on Rte. 28 in Harwich. Non-pretentious decor. Breakfast & lunch
at reasonable prices. Family place.
...The Lighthouse Cafe is located near the Harwich Post office. Food
served is very fresh and tasty. New Yorkers will appreciate their pickles.

4/7/08: Entry regarding on-demand water heater in Going on the Cheap

Entry at bottom of Pumpkin Season tells you about recent experiences
with making sourdough. I'm experimenting again, which drives me crazy
(in a fun way) I should get a life.

Sidebar: For those unfamiliar with driveucrazy, go to
sidebar and click on a category to see entries that might interest you.
Next, click on the entry. There are Links wherever I can create them.

Best yet quote is from Billie Burke, an early film actress, "Age is of no
importance unless you are a cheese." Other quotes in Who Said That?

Want to make your own bumper sticker? You can buy one or more of
your own cool design...reasonably priced! See Etc. Who's Counting?

2/26/08: See entry in Hit and Run for the latest episode in Joankelsy's
Drive You Crazy Life. Just trying to get wireless. Sound simple? Hold on...

Have no use for frequent flier miles? See 2/15/08 entry in Make Do in "Tips"
category.
Master Card gives you cash back and a virtual credit card for internet purchases.

What' new in greentech: www.greentechnolog.com . Also, read promising news:
"A secret to drying clothes? Liquid" at www.cnet.com . This invention could
save money, i.e. energy.

3/4/08: It may sound nutsy for me to say this, but the high priced fuel issue
may be the best thing that ever happened to the planet. The public must,
however, singe Washington's behind. Make them give tax breaks
only to deserving companies.

2/16/08: Have you ever had trouble getting your tax rebate? See today's
entry in "Talking To Myself", Comments category. It could drive you insane!!

For all you creative artists: www.drawger.com. Stunning site.
See "Current Shows", then "the Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies".  You
should find this blog interesting, but please come also visit my wonderful
artists' group on the Cape at www.yarmouthartguild.com .

Don't forget to look at the lambs in Outdoor Shows in the Art Zone.
New soup recipe in Ways with White Wine Sauce.Scroll to end.
Glad to see young people showing an interest in the coming election.
After all, it is their future. Hit and Run has some political content.

Photos in: "Power Breakfast" ,"Sort-of Unconditional Love" and
"Opening Afternoon" and scattered throughout Drive You Crazy.

One of my favorites. See The Cape and Beyond. Do not know
who the artist is that put this charmer together. He or she is to be applauded.
This blog has numerous photos throughout. I will add more when I get
some film negatives converted to digital.

    Recently, I was asked why I joined the Yarmouth Art Guild. Returning to
painting after years of neglect, I found myself in the company of many others
with similar backgrounds. I discovered that quite a few in my age group, in
particular, had taken up fine art as a new venture, having just High School
art classes and kid stuff in their backgrounds. In the Guild, we are some-
what overloaded with seniors but they are seniors who still drive their own
cars, participate in outdoor shows and win awards at galleries...and sell!
Two of our seniors entertained at a Christmas party by playing the piano.
One is in her nineties. Another ninety plus has just gotten herself a new
boyfriend.
    A recent issue of the Erickson Tribune contains an article about Dr. Gene
Cohen. He has done studies on how creativity affects how the human brain
ages. He is Director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at the
George Washington University in Washington, D.C. I am sure if you search
the internet you can come up with his 2000 book, the "The Creative Age".
    Suffice to say, the studies indicate that painting, writing and music are
stimulating. Coming in contact with other like minds is a big factor. So go
to the weekly painting class at the Senior Center. Take a creative writing
course or join a poetry club. Learn how to beat the drums.
It's good for your health!

1/2/08: Speaking of health. My supplemental health insurance went up from
$78 to $94 a month. I received a letter from my eye doctor that they will no
longer work through the insurance company but will give a break on charges
if patients wish to continue with them. When I called, the gal at the desk
said that other eye doctors are quitting Tufts, as they do not want to give
sub-standard care. I do not know what this is about, so called one of the
doctors in charge at the insurance company. I left a message, in essence that
I was upset that I heard of the change the way I did. I also commented that
rather than pay these politicians (of both parties) to get them elected, why
doesn't the insurance company put those dollars toward patient care.
I doubt very much that I will hear from the gentleman or any subordinate.
We the forgotten are left out again.

I chose Tufts, as I had been seeing no real doctor (primary, that is).
for six years on the Cape. I was sent to a dermatologist locally and wound
up with a nurse practitioner who did not know what she was looking at.
I went to Raynham (you can't even get on a waiting list for a dermatologist
on the Cape). One of the doctors in the group diagnosed the problem correctly
and I finally got relief. That was through Blue Cross/Shield senior mishandling
insurance.

When will we wake up to the $$$ facts in this country? Do you hear any of
these candidates offering to throw the lobbyists out of Washington?
Reform contributions laws? Good Lord No! They would miss all those big bucks.
We the forgotten might even be treated to less bologna on the airways.

The politicians put the clamps on medication from Canada. Too risky?
Pharmaceuticals are 80% China and India made.
Have you seen the toy recall lately?

Have problem with cramps in the legs, having had them since I was a teen.
Much worse now, even though I take potassium (mostly via bananas each
morning). My primary told me there was a simple med. that supplies quinine
but the government took it off the market. Pharmaceutical companies had
come in with a new one. Acquantance said the old one was sixteen dollars
and the new one well over 100 per script.  With the extra money comes more
side effects, I'm sure. I told the doctor I would pass.  The daily glass of tonic
I used to drink is verboten since I've found out I am borderline diabetic. Drink
one with man-made sweeteners? I'll pass on that one too.  Use Hyland's
homeopathic sublinqual tabs occassionally. Pretty good. I just have to
remember that if I change style of shoes, to limit walking in them. Changing
the configuration of footwear seems to throw foot and leg muscles out of whack.
Result? Cramp episodes all night.
2/2/08: Added something about exercise in Etc. Who's Counting? Afraid I
digress and throw things wherever there is space on this blog thing. If I made
new entries, I think it would add confusion...and would take the punch out of
what I like to use as a front page. Thanks for bearing with me.

1/6/07: Added something new to Hybrid & Other Car Stuff about an attach-
ment device for GPS. That is, if those suction cup thingies drive you crazy. May
have to hold off buying new car for a while. Feel comfortable and safer in the VUE.

2/18/08: I had received a call early February that attachment device on back
order another call this week from supplier - he will send me a device made by
same company that has an added feature. Costs more but he will send me one
at the same price. We had a nice talk over the phone. Sounds like a small
operation. I have to give the guy a break.

6/30/08: Had received the device and used it on the Prius. Vents accept the little
bugger and I leave it attached, removing the Magellin GPS when not using it.
However, I wish they had made the clips a little more sturdy. Afraid I will break
something if I am too rough with it.

Nova Scotia

2011-10-10T15:50:41Z

10/10/11: Nova Scotia, the most popular post on this blog. Mainly photos I shot,

but the credit is not mine. The pictures took themselves. Beautiful place.

On the Rocks.
To see full-size photos, go to Print Preview

Even with the hordes of people that visit the lighthouse area,
there is a stillness to be heard...
and then the pipes bring you back to another time.

Down the road apiece from the lighthouse.

Pumpkin Season

2011-10-10T13:05:14Z

10/10/11:

Outside is shaping up. Hiring one guy works for me. We work together and though the process is slower, the pros sometimes forget a few things. Bigger bucks, too. Someone has to pay for those trucks, power plus tools and speedy crews.

Anyway.

This year, the weather has been cooperative, thankfully. I have to downsize, as the place is getting to be too much for me. Cleanup and losing the clutter are in order. A friend told me eons ago that there ought to be a law. People should be required to move every ten years to get rid of the junk. Case in point, the shed and garage contained three leaf blower/suckers with extra parts that fit nothing. Since I bought a hedge clipper last year, I don't need extras. Huge flower pot for growing elephant ears, mosquito repellant gizmo hardly used, extra bulb digging tool and a plastic cabinet that was never hung on the wall wound up in the exchange building at the dump. One of the clippers went that way, the other to a good friend.

The process will continue next weekend. Shoving, dragging and hauling stuff keeps one out in the air, exercising little used muscles and sleeping deeply at night.

9/25/11: Tis the season again. Presently, more concerned with getting the lawn and hedges in order. Have hired someone to help this old bird, or should I say, I help him.

Just a note regarding the making of sourdough (in post below). Had read about using the oven for making yogurt overnight. You turn the light inside the oven on for the eight or so hours needed. Hmmm. Wonder how long the dough would take. ???

    This is not a tried and true recipe. I am not much of a baker. I am trying, as I really want
to take control of ingredients. I wanted to make a pumpkin pie but when I read the label on
the can, it said "Processed Pumpkin". "Processed how?", you may ask. I did.  "Chemically
processed?  What?"   Immediately, I hied myself over to the Hart Farm nearby and bought
a pumpkin about the size of my head. "I will find out what to do with this", I told me.
    Having bought the most scrumptious fresh spices earlier in the day, I was looking forward
to getting into this thing. The only unreal part of my creation would be the crust, a ready-
made. (Years ago I baked apple pies from scratch. Now, the prepared ones work for me.)
    I looked through some old cookbooks but was at a loss as to how to make pumpkin puree. www.home cooking.about.com to the rescue. They have got a plethora of recipes.
The best part is that I can bake this thing after cutting it into chunks, peel and deseed, put
it in a blender and freeze unused portions in zip-bags for up to a year! Might try pumpkin
bread. Just have to work this sugar sub thing out. Liquid stevia has been O.K. when I have
tried muffins. I add just a tablespoon of molasses. Otherwise, the baked goods do not brown
at all using stevia.  Even a slight browning makes you feel that the baked goods are done.

   Sharon and I used to love a restaurant that is about three quarters of an hour's drive away.
When you got there, the line of people waiting was half out the door. But worth it.
They served pumpkin pancakes in the Fall. Out of this world. They also served the best
veggie burger I have ever had. Several years ago a new owner took over and changed the
menu. (?) Go figure.

11/5/07:
    Well, the pie was not a great success. Somewhere, packed for moving, is my blender..and
a few other things I need. Obviously, I needed more pumpkin than I measured. I had used
a potato masher/ricer and did not get a compacted mass of the vegetable. I did use the
suggestion of using high heat for 15 mins. and turning the oven off for 45 mins. The pie
cooked well and pie crust was not too crispy that way.
    With all that mashed stuff to spare, I made a recipe from The Cutting Board called "The
Best Pumpkin Bread with Apples & Oranges". I did substitute 35 drops of stevia sweetener
and 2 tablespoons of molasses for the 2 Cups of sugar. (According to James Beard, Early
American cooks used molasses in the pie.) I also left out the chopped walnuts (which I love,
but am told won't love me back. (diverticulosis). With all my finagling, even, the bread tastes
great. Toast that on your George Foreman for breakfast!

11/14/07:
    Figured out the pie thing. Am invited to Thanksgiving dinner. I picked up a jar of ready-
made Borden mincemeat. The recipe for Apple Mince Pie looks easy. By tossing 3 medium
cored, pared and thinly sliced apples
in flour and butter, adding to prepared crust and placing the jarful of mincemeat over that,
all I have to do is lay the top crust on it and bake. Here's a tip I heard on the Rachel Ray
Show. Bake your pie in a disposable tin. Slice your first piece of pie but do not remove yet.
Cut slices into the pie plate with kitchen shears.   Bend the metal down and remove first piece
without messing it up. Cool.

I nearly forgot. The day after Halloween, I was driving home from an errand through
Harwich. I passed one of the best displays I have seen on a front lawn...Three stuffed
figures kneeling, two kneeling on the first three and one kneeling on top. They all had
carved pumpkin heads. Creator must be a phys ed teacher.

11/20/07:
     Stevia site which has much information:Cooking with Stevia . For one thing, found it is
non-fermentable, so will not allow yeast to rise quite as much. Think I'll try the molasses thing.
Or a little honey if that doesn't work. Have to go to Ask.com for conversions. Another (direct)
link is Metric Conversion.Org.

4/23/08: And so it goes. Haven't had much to report about the bread, except that most of
the recipes in the Hensperger cookbook come out great. The latest taste treat is one made
with golden flax seed. I did, however grind the seed before baking, as I want to stay away
from diverticulosis problems. That loaf was outstanding in taste. Good healthy stuff, too.
     Soon, I will be attempting sourdough recipes. One can use a dry starter. Even though
supermarkets are supposed to carry this stuff, the managers don't know what the ---- you're
talking about. I tend to drive them crazy. If I go for the basic sourdough, I have to make a
chamber to keep the mixture warm. Having kept the house cool, thanks to Cheney and
company, my body is used to 60's temperature. (Feel like a kid again, when families were
not too prosperous.)
    Wondering about the chamber, I thought of the bread slicing guide I recently bought. It
came with a heavy duty plastic box to keep the bread in. It has two parts that you can slide
together with air holes on both ends. Perfect! All I have to find is a miniature lamp to place
inside and probably a 25-40 watt bulb. I don't want to push my luck heating the plastic. Think
thatshould provide enough warmth, even if I leave the two pieces open a crack to accomodate
the wire on the lamp. Found a glass receptacle that fits inside nicely and with cheesecloth to
cover the glass, there should be enough ambient air to do the job. See Ask.com for directions
to make your own starter with flour, water and grapes. To think I almost put the bread keeper
in the pile for the exchange building at our transfer station, aka the dump.

3/24/08: Moving right aliong. After shopping for a mini lamp, came home and found a solution
in the cellar, a clip-on heating lamp with an aluminum shade. I unscrewed the shade and will
fashion a small stand out of disposable aluminum cookware. After I get it all together, will
probably throw a photo or two on the blog. Will keep you posted.

3/26/08: So far, so-so. Managed to get a 25 watt bulb set up inside the breadbox. Used
large bag clip to top of box but I wouldn't recommend this. Can probably be unstable if you
don't
get it right and you're working with electricity and a bowl of wet stuff. Will carry on with the
experiment, however, and try again when the weather is warmer and use organic grapes or
apple slices. I have so many recipes that one can become easily confused but after about
15 hours,bubbling to a small degree. Have to pick up some non-metal (wooden utensils)
to pick out the fruit.

     Don't know where I can find a small used fish tank. One of the heating lamps would
probably work.   I can wait. There are recipes to die for in the Hensperger book. English
muffins cooked on a grill, for instance.....my freezer will runneth over.

3/28/08: Tried the muffins on a stovetop griddle I've had since the 60s. They came out
OK but I'm looking for something better that pretty good. Will work on another "mother"
when it gets warmer this spring. One good feature of the bread machine is the dough cycle.
That dough rose beautifully. Again, used Hensperger's recipe.